Business networking and events
Business networking can provide you with the opportunity to share expertise and knowledge, find suppliers, collaborate, market your business and build new skills. This can happen through joining networking groups or by attending events.
Business support events and webinars
We are currently planning our forward calendar of events and webinars. If there are any topics you'd like to see covered, or if you would like to present at one, please email OpenForBusiness@scambs.gov.uk.
Previous webinar recordings
If you missed any of our previous webinars, the recordings are available below:
- How to be a Disability Confident business, 26 June 2024
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How to protect your business from cybercrime, 21 March 2024
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Demystifying apprenticeships, 5 October 2023
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How to have better conversations around mental health, 27 July 2023
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Self-care and wellbeing, 27 June 2023
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Grief and loss, 25 May 2023
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Resilience 101, 18 April 2023
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Mental health and financial wellbeing, 23 March 2023
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Why reducing your carbon makes business sense, 22 February 2023
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How to attract and retain the best people for your jobs, 15 June 2022
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Making your business greener, 25 February 2022
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How can your business make Cambridgeshire safer and more inclusive for all? 26 January 2022
Other local business events
The following organisations organise a range of in-person and virtual events for the local business community.
- Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce
- Cambridge Network
- Department for Business & Trade
- Eastern Academic Health Network
- Federation of Small Businesses
Alternative networking events can be found on the Meetup website.
We include a list of interesting local events and webinars in our Business Support newsletter. You can subscribe to our newsletter via our online form.
Village business networking
There are a number of business networking groups located in the villages around South Cambridgeshire offering local support. Below is a list of some we know of. If you are aware of any other local groups please email the team with details.
- Monthly business networking breakfasts are held at different venues in Girton. If you would like to attend, or host a networking event, please email Martin Dickson from Arlington Manor Care Home.
- The Histon and Impington Business Network is a relaxed and informal group for all types of businesses in and around Histon and Impington.
- Melbourn Business Association is a vibrant networking group that meet regularly at Bury Lane Farm Shop and other local venues.
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A regular business brunch club has been set up at The Chubby Frog in Caxton, described as “a get together for local entrepreneurs and business owners to connect, collaborate and cultivate a little community”. For more information and future dates check their events page.
General business networking
- Black Business Network is the home of black business owners and start-up entrepreneurs, designed to strengthen business connections, financing and knowledge.
- Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce holds free informal networking events and training opportunities at a range of venues across the county.
- Cambridge Network is a cross-sector membership organisation that brings people together - from business and academia - to meet each other and share ideas, encouraging collaboration for greater success.
- Cambridge 100 is one of Cambridge's longest-established business clubs, where entrepreneurs, innovators, and professionals come together over quarterly dinners and listen to renowned business leaders.
Sector specific networking
- Cambridge Cleantech is a network organisation supporting the growth of sustainable, ‘clean technology’ companies in the United Kingdom.
- Cambridge Wireless is a leading international network for companies involved in the research, development and application of wireless and mobile, Internet, semiconductor and software technologies.
- Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce has a number of sector specific groups including construction, HR and IT.
- One Nucleus is a life sciences and healthcare membership organisation based in Cambridge. Their support for businesses includes running at least 15 network meetings each year.
Women's business networking
- The Athena Network is a networking, training and development business club for women executives and entrepreneurs.
- Cambridge AWiSE is a regional network for women in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM), in both industry and academia.
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EnterpriseWOMEN is a specialised entrepreneurial learning programme designed to cater to early-stage women researchers and entrepreneurs who aspire to establish – or have - new businesses, especially in science and tech.
- Mums in Business Network Cambridge connects like-minded businesswomen at monthly child friendly meetings at the Holiday Inn Express in Cambourne. For more information, including upcoming dates and guest speakers, join their Facebook group.
- Women In Business Network meetings are a great way of meeting like-minded business women.
Networks for underrepresented groups
- Black Business Network is the home of black business owners and start-up entrepreneurs, designed to strengthen business connections, financing and knowledge.
- FSB’s Business Without Barriers hub features inspiring interviews with successful disabled entrepreneurs and personal accounts from employers who are helping to break down barriers to employment.
- Hatch Enterprise supports underrepresented business founders, such as: women, disabled entrepreneurs and/or founders from an ethnic minority. They help to create, launch and grow sustainable and impactful businesses through tailored programmes.
- Let’s Grow Business Together is a LGBT+ business hub. They offer free resources, interviews, advice, and networking events for LGBT+ small business owners and employers, who look to make their workplace more inclusive.